Families in Chattanooga earn a median $66,060 a year, and the typical owned home is worth $323,700. A simple rule puts the need for a typical family here at about $850,000. Term life is usually the lowest cost way to get there.
Chattanooga by the numbers
- Median household income
- $66,060Lower than the Tennessee median of $71,997
- Typical home value
- $323,700Close to the Tennessee median of $332,600
- Homes owned
- 49%55% of owned homes have a mortgage
- Households with kids
- 24%82,182 households in all
- Age 65 and older
- 17%Median age 36.6
- Veterans
- 9,3336.2% of adults
Living in Chattanooga
Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee, with 191,495 residents and a median age of 36.6. That is younger than the state as a whole, so more families here are in the years when term life matters most.
The median household here earns $66,060, below the US median of $81,604. The typical home costs about 4.9 times that income.
Compared with nearby Murfreesboro (86 miles away), homes in Chattanooga are worth less ($323,700 vs $456,700), and fewer households have kids at home.
The biggest hands on job group here is health care, at 9.6% of workers. Health care workers on shifts and contracts can lose group coverage between jobs.
Who works in Chattanooga
The biggest groups of hands on and front line jobs here, as a share of all workers. Some of these jobs can change your price, and some companies treat them better than others.
What fits families in Chattanooga
55% of owned homes in Chattanooga still have a mortgage. If your family would struggle to make that payment without you, size a policy to the loan. More on mortgage protection
24% of households here have kids under 18. Term life covers the years they depend on you for the lowest price. More on term life
17% of people in Chattanooga are 65 or older, close to the Tennessee rate. A small policy keeps funeral costs off the family. More on final expense
About 9,333 veterans live in Chattanooga. VGLI is not your only choice. More on veterans
Final expense and burial insurance in Chattanooga
About 33,300 people in Chattanooga are 65 or older. A small final expense policy, also called burial insurance, pays for the funeral so the family does not have to.
| Age | Women, $10,000 | Men, $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $33 | $43 |
| 70 | $53 | $70 |
| 80 | $98 | $134 |
National sample rates, Choice Mutual, Rates valid as of March 9, 2026. Not a quote. Funeral costs and help in Tennessee
Tennessee rules that protect you
- Free look: set by policy
- Grace period: one month if you miss a payment
- Guaranty protection: up to $300,000 in death benefits
- Help line: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, 1-800-342-4029
Common questions in Chattanooga
How much life insurance do I need in Chattanooga?
A quick rule of thumb: 10 years of income plus what you owe on your home. With Chattanooga's median household income of $66,060 and a typical home value of $323,700, that lands near $850,000 for a typical family. Your number depends on your debts, kids and savings. Our calculator does the math.
Can I get life insurance in Chattanooga without a medical exam?
Often, yes. Many companies approve healthy people with health questions and records instead of an exam. Older buyers can also look at simplified issue or guaranteed issue final expense plans.
Do I need an agent licensed in Tennessee?
Yes. An agent must hold a Tennessee license to sell you a policy. You can check a license with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at 1-800-342-4029.
What does a funeral cost near Chattanooga?
Local prices vary by funeral home. Nationally, the median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 with cremation (NFDA). Under the FTC Funeral Rule, any funeral home in Chattanooga must give you an itemized price list.
Source: FTC Funeral Rule · NFDA price study
What happens if my insurance company fails in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Tennessee policyholders up to $300,000 in death benefits, per insured person.
Source: Tennessee Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association · NOLHGA: how you are protected
Near Chattanooga
Murfreesboro (86 mi), Knoxville (96 mi), Nashville (115 mi), Clarksville (157 mi), Memphis (267 mi)
Sources
Local numbers are Census American Community Survey 2024 one year estimates for Chattanooga, TN. The coverage figure is a rule of thumb, not advice.
